Nancy Campbell Academy
- Why
- Character education · Small, safe town
- Because
- Ontario curriculum · Limited class size · ESL support
- Result
- Being seen · Holistic development · Multicultural friendships
- Benefit
- Budget-friendly · CAD 13,575 below the median, with boarding with supervised study and ESL support
- Cost
- CAD 38,775 (headline annual fee with boarding) · about CAD 3,878 per school month
Why Nancy Campbell Academy?
The school is for families looking for a small, close-knit school community that combines the academic program with moral development and community service.
- Character education: Families who want their child to grow up with a sense of responsibility and service can consider the school.
- Small, safe town: It suits parents who prefer a quiet, walkable Ontario town to a big city.
- Arts and technology: It offers scope for students interested in music, performing arts and robotics.
Reasons: features that set Nancy Campbell Academy apart
The information the school itself publishes shows what this approach means in daily life.
- Ontario curriculum: As an accredited Ontario private school it follows the Ministry curriculum, so courses are based on a program recognized by universities.
- Limited class size: There are at most 15 students in grades 7–8 and at most 20 in grades 9–12, so teachers can work with each student individually.
- ESL support: International students receive ESL support. Courses such as physical education, visual arts and drama are taken together with English-speaking peers, so language develops both inside and outside the classroom.
- 50 hours of community service a year: Every student is expected to complete at least 50 hours of service each year. Students come into direct contact with Canadian society and build up experience they can show in their application file.
- Bahá'í-inspired and open to all: The school is inspired by the principles of unity, service and justice but does not teach any particular religion. Students of different faiths can study comfortably in the same environment.
- Arts and STEM facilities: There is a recording studio, a robotics team, and the Wildfire arts and leadership camp held twice a year, so students can also create outside class.
- Two enrolment periods: Applications are accepted all year, and students are admitted in August and January, so starting in the second semester is also possible.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
The ourkids.net guide lists CAD 38,775 per year for international boarding in 2024-25; the school provides the full fee breakdown separately.
| Item | CAD | When |
|---|---|---|
| International boarding, annual (2024-25, per ourkids.net) | 38,775 | listed with the annual fees |
| Enrollment deposit for international boarding students (minimum) | 5,000 | one-time |
| Headline annual fee with boarding | 38,775 | 2024-25 |
| One-time fees in the first year | 5,000 | added to the first year only |
The headline fee works out to about CAD 3,878 per school month over a 10-month year, accommodation and meals included.
Based on a third-party guide (ourkids.net) for 2024-25; confirm with the school. The page does not say what the fee covers or whether the deposit is refundable or credited to tuition.
Fees were compiled in October 2026 and change every school year; confirm the amount with the school before applying.
How this fee compares
At CAD 38,775, this fee is CAD 13,575 below the median of CAD 52,350 among 12 private schools with boarding included.
Outcome: what it means for the student and family
Taken together, these features lead to the following outcomes:
- Being seen: In small classes every student is known, and shy students also get the chance to speak.
- Holistic development: The academic program, service work and the arts progress together.
- Multicultural friendships: Living on campus with students from different countries broadens a student's world view.
- Simple application process: Assessment is based on documents and a 30-minute interview with the vice-principal.
Benefit analysis: what the investment buys
The student works toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) plus Robotics, taught and assessed by certified Canadian teachers.
ESL/ELL support builds academic English step by step, so subject marks are not held back by language.
On-campus boarding with supervised study time, meals and weekend activities inside one community.
Clubs, teams and community activities let the student build a profile beyond grades.
A Canadian transcript, teacher references and extracurricular record that Canadian and international universities review directly.
Cost–benefit at a glance
| Measure | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Annual investment | CAD 38,775 | Headline annual fee with boarding, from the cost analysis above |
| Per school month | CAD 3,878 | Over a 10-month school year |
| Price position | −CAD 13,575 | vs. median CAD 52,350 · 12 private schools with boarding included |
| Specialty programs | 1 | Robotics |
| Living arrangement | Boarding | Included in the cost analysis where the school publishes it |
| Language support | ESL/ELL | Structured English support listed by the school |
| Value verdict | Budget-friendly |
CAD 13,575 below the median across 12 private schools with boarding included. Families get the full Canadian school experience for less.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Who it suits: Students who want a small community, a values-based approach to education and a boarding experience.
- Location: Stratford is a small city. It may feel limited for students looking for the pace and variety of a big city.
- Fee information: International boarding students are asked for a deposit of at least CAD 5,000 to confirm enrolment. The full annual fee is communicated separately by the school. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying.
Practical notes
The school year runs from September to June; the August start also includes orientation weeks. Students under 17 need a custodian.
Let us assess together whether the school's educational approach matches your family's expectations. Contact Canadian Edu Centre for a free preliminary assessment meeting.